Athens (AP)--Ohio University has released a statement that after 73 years, the Ohio Bobcats will leave a conference they created in 1946 for "greener pastures." The Ohio University will be departing the Mid-American Conference effective July 1, 2020 for the Ohio Athletic Conference, a Division III conference.

"It's a great day to be a Bobcat," Athletic Director Jim Schaus said to the media. "We're finally able to find a great home for our athletic programs that makes sense for us not only financially but travel-wise as well. We have looked into this since the days of Charles Ping and right now it makes sense for us. We're excited to be playing local rivals Marietta and Muskingum University again, and an opportunity of a lifetime for Jeff Boals to take his basketball team over to Wittenburg for the Larry Hunter Cup!"

The Ohio Athletic Conference was established in 1902 and hosted the Bobcats from 1910-1928. Currently the conference consists of 10 full-time members but will go to 11 once the Bobcats join in 2020. With the Bobcats joining this new league, they may find life in the OAC difficult on the football end, as Mount Union is the current power.

"We're excited to go after our first conference championship since 1968," football coach Frank Solich said. "For our kids, it allows us to compete with schools we traditionally try to schedule here in Athens in September. In addition, we're prepared to take on Mount Union and wrestle the OAC Title away from them as soon as we join in 2020."

"We felt that going back to a league that had us as members at one time made too much sense," said Schaus. "With the full support of President Nellis, the Board of Trustees, and key donors, we feel this move will allow us to save on expenses and finally buy the Fairgrounds for new academic buildings."

Jeremy Guy of the Mid-American Conference had nothing to say on the matter, as he tweeted, "How did the Indians only get 5 runs this weekend? Why can't the Cavaliers score more than 80?"



Happy April Fools Everyone

This is great but I don't see why you needed real quotes from J Guy's Twitter page. ;-)

Oh, jeeze I needed a smile on my face on this blog , with all the happenings and crap talk lately. thank you for lighting things up a bit

Doesnt this mean we will be adding about four sports? We can have crew out on the Hocking River.

Too ludicrous to believe for a second. Now if you had said FCS...

+1

Savage

Idaho did.

Just wait for next year's April Fool's Post.....should be a treat

Actually, they had the same choice as UMass and New Mexico State, =independent.
Not a good choice, but a choice all the same.

Liberty is trying to become like a BYU or Notre Dame for evangelicals. Whether the plan works athletically, time will tell. But I wouldn't be shocked if they keep trying to build their brand as an independent. Their facilities (as a campus and for athletics) are top-notch. Sleeping giant, IMO.

Great question.

To be honest, would have to come down to the other Ohio schools decide to do. Always have said this is one of the top leagues in terms of geographical fit and stability in the country. If they all decide to move a direction, I don't see OU abandoning their in-state brethren.

If anything would happen, it would be a universal move from the league to go FCS or below. I don't see OU making this decision independently if that makes sense. Only way we would ever look to move is if someone got loaded in a hurry (think T Boone Pickens Money) and wanted to take OU to the next level. Would mean a substantial gift (would estimate a $300 million endowment) along with either a new basketball arena or the ability to build a new football stadium on the fairgrounds.

Otherwise, I don't see us dropping for the long-term, especially with where we are as a school and some folks have realized the benefits of the NCAA Tournament on enrollment.

I think you greatly undervalue the overall finances of Liberty and its determination to reach athletic relevance.

You need to do massive amounts of additional math and revisit this.